Wire-strapping tool



L. CAMPBELL.

WIRE STRAPPING TooL. APPLICATION FILED` IULY 8. I92I.

Patented Oct. 10, 1922.

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L. CAMPBELL.

WIRE STRAPPING TOOL. APPLICATION FILED JULY 8.1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET- 2.

N /NVENTOR Patented Oct. l0, 1922.

atented Cet. l0, 1922.

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LAYARD CAMPBELL, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 JOHN W. LESLIE AND JOHN H. LESLIE, BOTH OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

WIRE-STRAPPING TOOL.

Application led July 8. 1921.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, LAYARD CAMPBELL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in IVire-Strapping Tools, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates to improvements in wire strapping tools and particularly to that class of tool which is employed in connection with bale wire straps.

1 Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are: to tighten the wire in service; to provide a tie for the straps which cannot easily be released; to automatically finish the operation of strapping by cutting the surplus wire from the main portion thereof at the completlon of the tightening operation; to dispose the cut end ofthe Wire in suchvposition as to avoid lacerating the hands or tearing the clothes of operators and others; and to construct a light and workable tool.

Drawings.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a tool of the character mentioned constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention.

` Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is an elevation of a portion of the tightening lever being cut away.

vFigure 4 is a longitudinal section, the section being taken as on the line 4 4 in Fig. 1.

Figure-5 is'a side elevation of a tool in service position after having completed its function.

Figure 6 is a detail view showing the wire twisting and cutting mechanism.

A Figure -7 is a detail view showing the cutter.

Figure 8 is a detail view showing the foot plate employed for holding the loop provided on the wire strap.

Figure 9 is an edge View of the same.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 10-10 in Fig. 8.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view of a wire strap showing the initial position of the free end of the said strap to the loop with which it is provided.

Figure 12 is a similar view showing the Ser-al No. 483,327.

free end of the said strap as twisted about the adJacent portion of the strap at the completlon of the operation of the said tool.

Description.

The tool herein shown and described operates to hold the looped end of a bale wire or relatively short length of wire having an open loop formed therein while first dra-wing taut the wire on a carton or package to be shipped and then tying the free end of the wire on the loop and then removing the superfluous Wire from the strap. To this end the tool is rovided with a foot plate. The plate 15 is est shown in Figures 8 to 10 inclusive where is shown the spur 16 formed by cutting the slots 17 in the plate 15 at opposite sides of the spur 16. The

forward end ofthe spur 16 is inclined ba ki wardly to provide a hook-like structure for engaging the loop in the bale wire. The front edge of the spur 16 has a groove 18 to hold the free end of the bale wire when passed therethrough. The groove 18 is coincident with the open flared end slot 19 to guide the tool over the wire when the tool is rolled on the nose pieces 20 with which the body of the tool is provided.

As seen best in Figures 1 and 10, the slot 19 is extended backward from the end of the spur 16 to afford a passageway for the loose end wire 21 when the same is drawn through the loop 22 of the wire 21. The slot 19 aligns with the slot 23 formed in the housing'2et provided for the elongated shank 25 on the end of which is rigidly mounted a bevel pinion 26. The shank 25 and pinion 26 have a slot 27 cut lengthwise thereof eX- tending to below the axis of said shank and pinion a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the wire 21. The width of the slots 19, 23 and 27 is substantially the same as the d-iameter or gage of the wire 21, hence whenever two sections of wire are disposed in the said slots, one of the said sections is removed from the center of the pinion 26 in the path of the severing end of the cutter 28. In practice this is generally the section of wire known as the free end and which in service is held taut by the ratchet jaw 29 and the bolster block 30 which is mounted on the tightening lever 31.

The tightening lever 31 is pivotally mounted on the handle 32 by means of the pivot bolt 33. The bolt 33 binds the handle 32 on the body 34, said bolt having a head 35 which draws the recess in the handle 32 over the lug 36 in the side of the body 34 whenever the nut 37 is tightened. The body 34 also has mounted thereon a resting stub 38 which in conjunction with the nose pieces 20 supports the tool in the position shown in Fig. of the drawing which is that assumed b y the tool at the moment of severing the waste end of the wire 21.

In Fig. 11 there is shown on diminutive scale, a wire strap in the initial stage of forming the tie where the free end 21 of the bale wire has been passed loosely through the loop 22 thereof. VThen operating in conjunction with the tool herein described, it will be understood that the spur 16 of the tool extends into and is engaged by the loop 22, while the free ends 21 extend through the loop and the slots 19, 23 and 27 to be engaged by the jaw 29 and the bolster 30 when the lever 31 is thrown to the forward position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. In Fig. 12 the same parts of the wire are disclosed as in the position assumed at the completion of the operation of the tool, the free end 21 having been overturned to form a second loop which engages the loop 22 and twist about the body of the wire to hold the same intact. y

The twist formed by the tool as above referred to is performed by the pinion 26 which is rotated on the bearing of the shank 25 within the housing 24. It is preferred that the bevel gear wheel has a ratio to the pinion 26 which provides two complete revolutions of the pinion 26 for one complete revolution of the wheel 39. At the time when the pinion 26 is rotated the free end of the wire 21 and the body of the wire adjacent to the loop 22 rests within the slot 27 in the shank' 25 and pinion 26. As the slot is narrower than the .combined diameters of the two sections of wire, the said sections are compelled one to wrap on the other in correspondence with the rotation of the said shank and pinion.

As above mentioned the free end 21 of the wire is first laid in the bottom of the slot 27 and extends beyond the axial center of the said shank and the pinion 26, therefore, the free end referred to is carried on and twisted about the body of the wire forming the twisted section shown in Fig. l2 of the drawings.

To rotate the wheel 39 it is operatively connected with the handle 40 and the handle head 41. The head 41 has rigidly mounted thereon a stub shaft 42, the upper end whereof entends above the body of the wheel 39 and 1s perforated to hold the cutter 28. The cutter 28 engages upstanding pins 43, set in the wheel 39 and thereby imparts the rotation to the said wheel from the handle head 41. It will be noted that by means of this construction the shock and strain on the cutter 28 is not borne by the wheel 39 but is transmitted direct to the head 41 and handle 40 during the operation of severing the waste end of the wire.

It has been found advantageous to rotate the wheel 26, two and a half revolutions, the last half revolution being imparted after the waste end of the wire has been severed. The result of the continuation of the revolution of the pinion 26 is that the severed end of the wire 21 is carried beneath or to the underside of that section of the wire around which it is wound. The result of thisy operation is that the sharp or jagged end of the severed portion of the wire is disposed out of harms way in close juxtaposition to the cover or package which is being strapped. It is also essential in order that the shank 25 and pinion 26 may be freed from the wire after the same has .been

twisted that the wheel 39 and pinion 26 be reversely rotated for the said half revolution so that the slot 27 may be placed in alignment with the slot 23 in the housing 24, in which position the tool may be removed from engagement with the wire which will pass through the said slots out of engagement with the said tool.

To provide a definite stop for the wheel 39 and pinion 26, the handle head 41 has a lug 44 which is engaged by a spring operated latch pin 45 mounted in a shank provided in the body 34 for the spring 46 and the said pin.. The normally advancing side of the lug 44 is inclined to ride under the pin 45 and to remove the same from the path of the said lug. As soon as the lug has passed, the pin resumes its normal position against the back of the head 41 and in the path of the square shoulder formed at the back of the lug 44 when the said lug is retractively rotated. The direct result of this action is that when the lug 44 is engaged with the pin 45, the slots 23 and 27 are aligned.

When provided with a tool constructed and arranged as herein shown and described the operation of strapping a shipping carton or other package is as follows: A bale wire strap such as shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings is extended about the package to be strapped, and the .free end 21 thereof is extended through the loop 22 with which the said strap is furnished. The tool is then addressed tothe wire by placing the spur 16 within the loop 22 and by drawing the free end 21 of the wire through the slots 19, 23 and 27. and betweenthe bolster 30 and the jaw 29, the lever 31 having swung forward towards the engaged end of the tool as far as the possibilities of the construction f and the needs of the operation demand.

The slack of the wire on the package may be now taken up with thetool resting in the position as shown. in Fig. 3 of4 the drawings by rocking the lever 31, the aW 29 gripping the wire of the forward rocks of the lever 31 to draw the same forward by the frictional engagement imparted by the said jaw and the bolster 30 on the said lever. When .the wire has been drawn sufficiently tight on the box or package, the lever 31 and the handle 32 are drawn to the parallel relation shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The tool is then rocked forward to carry the handle 32 away from the operator or from the position shoWn in Fig. 4: of the `dra-wings to the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings where the tool rests on the nose pieces 20 and the resting stub 38. It will now be found that When the tool is rocked over the section of the wire adjacent or forming part the movement is arrested by the engage-H ment of the lug 44 with the pin 45.

It will be observed that during the complete revolution of the handle 44 around the center of the Ashank 42, the pinion 26 and sections of wire-contained therein have been revolved two complete revolutions, or the free end 21 of the wire 21 has been twisted twice a'bout the body of the said wire and that due to the further half revolution of the pinion 26 the severed end ofthe free end 21 has been turned beneath the body of the wire in juxtaposed relation to the box or package being prepared for transportation.

1. A strapping tool for use in conjunction with .loop provided bale wire, comprising a rigid handle having at one-end thereof a spur for engaging said loop; a tightening lever pivotally mounted on saidl handle for engaging the free end of said wire todraw same through said loop; a rotary member mounted on said handle in advance of said said lever forwrapping said free endabout the section of the'free end adjacent to but not drawn through said loop.

3. A strapping tool for use in conjunction with loop provlded bale wire, comprising a rigid handle having at one end thereof a spur for engaging said loop; a tightening lever pivotally mounted on said handle for engaging the freeend o f said wire after the same is drawn through said loop; a gear wheel rotatively mounted on said handle intermediate said spur and said lever, said gear Wheel having a longitudinally disposed slot adapted for holding in. radial superposition said free end and a section adjacent thereto when overlaid thereon; and manipulative means mounted on said handle for rotating salid gear wheel.

4. A strapping t'ool for use in conjunction with loop provided bale wire, comprising a rigid handle having at one end thereof a spur for engaging said loop; a tightening lever pivotally mounted on said handle for engaging the free. end of said wire after the same is drawn through said loop; agear wheel rotatively mounted on said handle intermediate sald spur and said lever, said `gear wheel having a longitudinally disposed -slot adapted for holding in radial super-position said free end and a section adjacent thereto "when overlaid thereon; and manipulative means mounted on said handle for rotating said gear wheel, said means embodying a `second gear wheel rotativelv mounted on said handle, and a manipulating handle operatively connected with said gear wheel.

5. A strapping tool for use in conjunction with loop provided bale wire, comprising a rigid handle having at one end thereof a spur for engaging said loop; a tightening lever pivotally mounted on said handle for engaging the free end of said wire after the same isdrawn through said loop; a gear wheel rotatively mounted on said handle intermediate said spur and said lever, said gear wheel having a longitudinally disposed slot adapted for 'holding in radial super-position said free end and a section adjacent thereto when overlaid thereon; manipulative means mounted on said handle for rotating said gear wheel; said means embodying a second gear wheel rotatively mountedv on said handle, a manipulating handle operatively connected with said gear wheel; and a cutter mounted on said second mentioned gear wheel for severing said free end of said wire adjacent the'wrapped portion thereof.

6. A strapping tool forV use in conju tion with loopprovided bale wire, compris ing a rigid handle having at one end thereof a spur for engaging said loop; a tightening lever pivotally mounted on said handle fom engaging the` free end of said wire after the.

same is drawn through said loop; a gear wheel rotatively-mounted on said handle intermediate said spur and said lever, said gear Wheel having a longitudinally disposed slot adapted for holding in radial superposition said free end and a section adjacent thereto when overlaid thereon; manipulative means mounted on said handle for rotating said gear Wheel; said means embodying a second gear wheel rotatively mounted on said handle, a manipulating handle operatively connected with said gear Wheel; a cutter mounted on said second mentioned gear Wheel for severing said free end of said Wire adjacent the Wrapped portion thereof; and a cutter removably mounted on said second mentioned gear Wheel for severing said free end of said Wire adjacent the wrapped portion thereof.

7. A strapping tool for use in conjunction i With loop .provided bale Wire, comprising a rigid handle having at one end thereof a spur for engaging said loop; a tightening lever pivotally mounted on said handle for engaging the free end of said Wire after the same is drawn through said loop; a ear wheel rotatively mounted on said andle intermediate said spur and said lever, said gear Wheel having a longitudinally disposed slot adapted for holding in radial super-position said free end and a section adjacent thereto when overlaid thereon; manipulative means mounted on said handle for rotating said gear Wheel; said means embodying a second gear Wheel rotatively mounted on said handle, a manipulating handle operatively connected With said gear \vheel;-a cutter mounted on said second mentioned gear wheel for severing said free end of said' Wire adjacent the wrapped portion thereof; a cutter removably mounted on said second mentioned gear Wheel for severing said free end of said Wire 4adjacent the wrapped portion thereof; and means mounted on said gear wheel at opposite sides of the center thereof to form bearing members for said cutter to receive the thrust imposed thereupon.

8. A strapping tool for use in conjunction With loop provided bale Wire, comprising a rigid handle having at one end thereof a spur for engaging said loop; a tightening lever pivotally mounted on said handle for engaging the free end of said vvire after the same is drawn through said loop; a gear Wheel rotatively mountcd on said handle intermediate said spur and said lever, said gear Wheel having alongitudinally disposed slot adapted for holding in radial super-position said free end and a section adjacent thereto when overlaid thereon; manipulative means mounted on said handle for rotating the said gear wheel; and means mounted on said handle for rocking the same on the forward end thereof for disposing said gear wheel beneath said handle so that the section of said wire adjacent the free end thereof and of said bale is lifted into said slot at the axial center of said Wheel.

9. A strapping tool for use in conjunction With loop provided bale Wire, comprising a rigid handle having at one end thereof a spur for engaging said loop; a tightening lever pivotally mounted on said handle for engaging the free end of said Wire after the same is drawn through said loop; a gear wheel rotatively mounted on said handle intermediate said spur and said lever, said gear Wheel having a longitudinally disposed slot adapted for holding in radial superposition said free end and a section adjacent thereto when overlaid thereon; manipulative means mounted on said handle for rotating said gear Wheel; and means mounted on said handle for rocking the same on the forward end thereof for disposing said gear Wheel beneath said handle so that the section of said Wire adjacent the free end thereof and of said bale is lifted into said slot at the axial center of said Wheel, said means embodying laterally extended nose pieces rigidly connected With said spur and laterally extended therefrom for steadying said tool while being so rocked.

10. A tool as characterized comprising a rigid member for holding the looped end of a bale Wire, a pulling member for engaging the free end of the bale Wire7 rotary means for engaging the free end when tightened and the body portion of the Wire adjacent the said loop for maintaining the parallel relation of said free end and body Within said rotary means, and means for rotating said rotary means for twisting said free end and body portion upon each other.

11. A tool as characterized comprising a rigid member for holding the looped end of a bale Wire, a pulling member for engaging the free end of the bale Wire, rotary means for engaging the free end when tightened and the body portion of the Wire adjacent said loop for maintaining the parallel relation of said free end and body Within said rotary means, and means for rotating said rotary means for twisting said free end and body portion upon each other, said means embodying a. manuallyoperated crank pivotallv mounted on said rigid member.

12. A tool as characterized comprising a rigid member for holding the looped end of a bale Wire, a pulling member for engaging the free end of the bale Wire, rotary means for engaging the free end when tightened and the body portion of the Wire adjacent said loop for maintaining the parallel relation of the said free end and body Within said rotary means, said means embodying a gear pinion having a radially disposed slot therein for holding said free end and body portion of said wire during the rotation of Said pinion, a driving Wheel engaging said pinion, and a manually operated crank operatively connected with said driving wheel for rotating the same.

13. A tool as characterized comprising a rigid member for holding the looped end of a bale Wire, a pulling member for engaging the free end of the bale wire, rotary means forengaging the free end when tightened and the body portion of the wire adjacent the said loop for maintaining the parallel re` lation of said free end and body within said rotary means, means for rotating said rotary means for twisting said free end and body portion upon each other, and means t'or eliminating the surplus wire of said tree end during the manipulation of the same.

14. A tool as characterized comprising a rigid member for holding the looped end of a bale wire, a pulling member for engaging the free end of the bale wire, rotary means for engaging the free end When tightened and the body portion of the wire adjacent the said loop for maintaining the parallel relation of said free end and body within said rotary means, means for rotating said rotary means for twisting said free end and body portion upon each other, and means for severing the surplus wire of said free end while twisting the same around said body portion.

15. A tool as characterized comprising a rigid member for holding one end of a bale Wire, a pulling member for engaging the free end of the bale wire, rotary means for engaging the free end when tightened and the body portion of the Wire adjacent to the said first mentioned end for maintaining the parallel relation of said free end and body Within said rotary means, and means for ro- Vtating said rotary means for twisting said free end and body portion upon each other.

16. A tool as characterized comprising a rigid member for holding one end of a bale Wire, a pulling member for engaging the bale wire adjacent to its opposite end, rotary means for engagingthe bale Wire adjacent to said last mentioned end when tightened and the-body portion of the Wire adjacent to saidA first mentioned end for maintaining the parallel relation of said ends within said rotary means, and means for rotating said rotary means for twisting said vends upon each; other, said means embodying a manually operated crank pivotally mounted on said rigid member.

17. A tool as characterized comprisin a member for holding one end of a bale Wire, a pulling member for engaging said Wire adjacent to the opposite end, twisting means arranged to engage said last mentioned end of said wire and the body portion ot' said wire adjacent the first mentioned end, a lever for operating said twisting means.y and means for severing the surplus wire of the last mentioned end during the operation ot` said twisting means.

18. A tool as characterized comprising a member for holding one end of a bale wire, a pulling member for engaging the bale wire adjacent its opposite end, rotary means for engaging the last mentioned end of said wire when tightened and the body portion of the Wire adjacent the first mentioned end for maintaining the parallel relation of said ends within said rotary means, means for ro tating said rotary means for twisting said last mentioned end and body portion upon each other, and means for eliminating the surplus of said last mentioned end during the twisting of the same.

19. A tool as characterized comprising a rigid member for holding the looped end of a bale wire, a pulling member for engaging the free end of the bale wire, rotary means for engaging the free end when tightened and the body portion of the wire adjacent said loop for maintaining the parallel relation of said free end and body within said rotary means, said means embodying a gear pinion having a radially disposed slot therein for engaging said free end and body portion of said wire during the rotation of said pinion, and means for severing said free end for eliminating the surplus wire thereof, said means embodying a slot in said pinion and a shearing blade arranged to co-operate therewith.

20. A tool as characterized comprising a rigid member for holding the looped end ot a bale wire, a pulling member for engaging the free end of the bale wire, a wire'twisting device including a rotary means for engaging the free end when tightened and the body portion of the wire adjacent said loop for maintaining the parallel relation of the said free end and body Within said rotary means, said means embodying a gear pinion having a. radially disposed slot therein for holding saidfree end and body portion of said wire during the rotation ot said pinion, and means for severing said free end for eliminating the surplus wire thereof, said means embodying a slt in said pinion, said slot extending from the periphery of said 

